DNA Favorites Blog

This is Richard Hill, founder of DNA Favorites. I don't write long, detailed blogs. My blogging style matches that of my website: clear, concise summaries with links to learn more.

I typically share these posts to my DNA Favorites Facebook page and to my RichardHillDNA accounts on Bluesky, X,and LinkedIn. You can follow me in whatever medium you prefer.

Jul 22, 2026

A Rare But Plausible DNA Discovery

Lots of men find out through a DNA test that they are not the father of their child. But what if it was the woman who discovered she was not the mother?

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Jul 20, 2026

Surprise: This McGrath Isn't Irish

For decades, many adoptees were never told about their adoption. Now their children are taking DNA tests and discovering surprises in their family trees.

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Jul 17, 2026

Chromato: A New DNA Comparison Tool

This new tool from YSEQ generates a fast and detailed comparison between two DNA files. You can try it here.

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Jul 15, 2026

Helping Korean Adoptees Find Biological Families through DNA

This mixed-race daughter Korea tried to send away is helping adoptees return home. She now heads 325KAMRA, a nonprofit organization.

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Jul 13, 2026

Need a Speaker on a DNA Testing Topic?

If you belong to a library or genealogy group, I have five different presentations on genetic genealogy, including my updated "Comparing DNA Ethnicity Estimates".

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Jul 10, 2026

Making the Best of a Huge Error

The couple in an IVF embryo mix-up reached a custody agreement with their infant daughter's biological parents.

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Jul 08, 2026

DNA Testing for Adoptees

Family Tree DNA provides a great summary of the adoptee experience and what DNA testing can do for adoptees seeking their roots.

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Jul 06, 2026

Uncovering Famous Family Secrets

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explains how "Finding Your Roots" navigates shocking ancestry revelations and guest privacy.

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Jul 03, 2026

The Best Tools for Working with DNA Matches.

To work more effectively and efficiently with genetic matches, use the best features of each testing company and some outstanding tools developed by others.

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Jul 01, 2026

The Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson

Follow the genealogical research that connected the King of Pop’s paternal ancestry to a centuries-old European bloodline rooted in colonial South Carolina.

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Jun 29, 2026

A Father and Daughter Talk About Their Reunion

DNA testing led Ed to discover a surprise daughter. Listen to the father and daughter share their story in this great podcast episode.

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Jun 26, 2026

Why She Bought 23andMe Back With Her Own Money

After taking her company private, 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki opens up about the high-stakes decision to buy back the DNA-testing giant with her own capital.

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Jun 24, 2026

Christopher Columbus DNA Analysis

A new DNA analysis of the remains of several direct descendants of Christopher Columbus may have revealed a history-changing truth about the explorer’s origins.

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Jun 22, 2026

Need a Speaker on a DNA Testing Topic?

If you belong to a library or genealogy group, I have five different presentations on genetic genealogy that I update regularly.

Continue reading "Need a Speaker on a DNA Testing Topic?"

Jun 19, 2026

New in Ancient Origins

This new feature of the MyHeritage DNA test lets you discover your genetic proximity to 32 notable figures whose DNA was recovered from archaeological remains.

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Jun 17, 2026

Alien DNA in Genetic Databases?

Scientist debunks the idea that aliens known as Nórdicos could be identified through genetic markers on genealogy platforms such as Ancestry and 23andMe.

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Jun 15, 2026

Chilean American Stolen as a Baby Reunites with Mother

MyHeritage provides free DNA test kits for Chilean adoptees and suspected victims of child trafficking. This is one success story.

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Jun 12, 2026

Compare the Best DNA Tests for Genealogy

An independent comparison of the strengths and limitations of the top five DNA testing companies.

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Jun 10, 2026

Responsible Use of AI in Genealogy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming genealogy by offering powerful capabilities alongside new challenges and risks. These principles aim to guide the responsible use of AI within the genealogical community.

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Jun 08, 2026

Understanding Unexpected DNA Results

An NPE is an unexpected discovery about genetic parentage or genetic relationships, often revealed through DNA testing. Learn why DNA surprises happen, and where to turn next.

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Jun 05, 2026

Discovering Genetic Genealogy?

Want to learn more about DNA testing for genealogy? Visit this page on my website for links to the best DNA education resources.

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Jun 03, 2026

Banyan DNA Releases New Version

Banyan DNA is a software tool for building, visualizing, and analyzing complex genealogies. See what changed in Version 1.9.

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Jun 01, 2026

Lots of DNA Test Drama

If you're looking for something gripping, shocking, funny, and bizarre all rolled into one, this collection of 17 DNA surprise stories just might be it.

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May 29, 2026

Using Autosomal DNA in Genealogical Research

Learn how autosomal DNA works with traditional genealogy, Y-DNA, and mtDNA to confirm relationships and uncover deeper family connections.

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May 27, 2026

DNA Test Solves 75-Year-Old Mystery

Two families, one in Austria and one in Morocco, get their ancestor questions answered through a surprise DNA connection.

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